Is this even real life? 2016 flew by way too quickly, and I'm sad that it's ended. As we prepare for our next season and transition into 2017, I'd like to recap with you my journey and celebrate the love that you all have extended towards me. 

2016 has truly been a year of celebration. As I've shared before, I want this blog to be a place where my readers can truly know me and my growth as a photographer and in my personal life. So if you've been following me for a while, I'd love to extend a word of thanks for your love and support. I seriously can't wait for all that awaits me in 2017, but in the meantime, let's take a walk down memory lane. 
 

a season of proposals
 

As you can recall from the summer, I photographed quite a few proposals within 3 months. It was an incredible feeling to receive inquiry after inquiry to capture these joyful occasions, and I even got the chance to travel a bit throughout Texas for these moments. 

First one up, Sean & Joseph. And man, what a start! If you haven't read their story yet, you are missing out. Who knew you could still propose to the love of your life after a crazy monster downpour?!  (Click here to read more)

Next, we have Tian & Joseph at the McGovern Centennial Gardens in Houston, TX. Joseph used a fun way with geocaching to ask his bride-to-be for her hand. (Click here to read more)

Then, we had Ashley & Joon, who also got engaged at the Centennial Gardens. Joon knew exactly how to woo his lovely lady so you'll definitely want to read their story. (Click here to read more)

Fourth, back in Austin, we had Emily & Nathan, who shared a simple, yet intimate engagement that could tug anyone's heart. (Click here to read more)

And finishing up my summer season, Kayla & Leo. Theirs felt so romantic and dreamy, with Leo dancing away with Kayla and proposing to her under a vintage gazebo. Need I say anymore? (Click here to read more)

travels
 

J and I took some time off in the summer as well to do some traveling for our friends and family. We took our first road-trip to West Texas for a wedding that I got to attend as a guest! I always say I prefer being on the shooting end more, but it's nice to take a break once in a while. (Click here to read more.)

Then in late August, J and I flew up to Toronto for his cousin's wedding so we had quite a week exploring and befriending those who were a part of the occasion. (Click here to read more.) 

favorites

And to wrap up this post, here are my favorite frames. 

To start us off, Happy First Birthday to my website! It's been a year since I created it with Elfrey and Rosanna's proposal as my first blog post, and speaking of which, they just got married! Can time pass any faster? 

More importantly, though... Happy New Years, my lovelies. This blog post is dedicated to every single one of you for supporting and watching me grow these past few years. While I'm quite tempted to write an obligatory end-of-the-year post, I decided to forgo it and instead feature some of my favorite photographs from this year. As I look back at these, I can't help but reminisce all the stories and laughter that come with them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

To conclude this post, I wanted to share a segment that couldn't be written any better. 

"Thank you, 2014, for the tears that have made us stronger, the laughter that has made us deeper, the people who have made us truer versions of ourselves, and the glimpses of God in the monumental and mundane alike. And here’s to you, 2015. May you be wild and wonderful in the very best of ways, filled with the kinds of stories only God can write." - Rebekah Hall

Cheers.